Va Sends Out Caregiver Benefits

[Berta]

VA Issuing First Payments to Caregivers

"WASHINGTON (July 1, 2011) - The Department of Veterans Affairs will send

out more than $430,000 in stipend payments to nearly 200 Family

Caregivers of Veterans in July. These Family Caregivers were the first

to complete their Caregiver training under the program of Comprehensive

Assistance for Family Caregivers. The first payments to 96 recipients

were issued today.

"This is a long-awaited day for many Family Caregivers who diligently

worked to achieve this landmark legislation to enhance services for

Family Caregivers," said VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki. "I am proud VA

can now offer direct support to the loved ones who give the Veterans we

serve a greater quality of life by allowing them to remain at home

surrounded by family and friends."

Family Caregivers will receive an average $1,600 in monthly stipend

payments. The initial payments will average $2,500 because the first

stipend checks are retroactive to the date of application. The amount

of the stipend is based on the condition of the Veteran and the amount

of care they require as well as the geographic location where the

Veteran resides. An additional 80 stipend payments will be released

from the U.S. Treasury on July 8 bringing the total to 176 Family

Caregivers receiving the stipend in July.

"We continue to process and approve applications on a daily basis" said

Deborah Amdur, VA's Chief Consultant for Care Management and Social

Work. "It has been profoundly gratifying to receive messages from Family

Caregivers about the value of this program."

Since May 9, nearly 1,250 Caregivers of Veterans who were seriously

injured in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001, have applied

for the Program. A core caregiver training curriculum is a required

component of the program. This comprehensive training, which was

developed by Easter Seals in collaboration with VA clinical experts, has

received many positive comments from Family Caregivers. In addition to

the training, eligible Family Caregivers can also access mental health

services and are provided health care insurance, if they are not already

entitled to care or services under a health plan.

Veterans may review the criteria for eligibility and download the Family

Caregiver program application (VA CG 10-10) at www.caregiver.va.gov.

The application enables the Veteran to designate a primary Family

Caregiver and secondary Family Caregivers if needed. Caregiver Support

Coordinators are stationed at every VA medical center to assist with

coordinating the training or assist Caregivers in locating available

services.

Support for all Caregivers is also available via the national Caregiver

Support Line at 1-855-260-3274. Caregivers of Veterans from all eras are

encouraged to use the Website and Support Line to learn about more than

two dozen supportive services VA offers to Family Caregivers. "

# # #

[Commander Bob]

no chance of retro, when you do get it, John.

Bob

[john999]

I think with the VA it is always the bottom line when it comes to vets. If they can save money letting vets die then that is what they will do. I don't think they have any shame. The VA knows that poor dental care can cause lethal infections in the heart and bloodstream and, yet, only a handful of vets get dental care such as it is. If it is cheaper to pay caregives to take care of vets then it may get done if political toes are not stepped on in the process.

[Pete53]

Sometimes I just do not understand the VA at all. Because I am Housebound and my VA Doc likes me she originally scheduled me to have help keeping up with meds by sending a nurse out for 4 visits. Without my asking it has turned into 3 visits a week by a woman who helps me keep my feet in good shape and a nurse who comes 1 time a week to review meds and check vitals. They send me a copy of the charges and it is over 1800 a month. My wife does not like strangers coming to the house but so far they all have been nice.

I guess the point is now that I know I could ask for and VA would be hard pressed not to give me home health care to include them coming to me not me going to them I know for sure that the caregiver benefit would help save money and over time I am pretty sure it would keep a lot of Vets living in home. My health aide tells me about another Veteran who is 93 and lives alone who she helps him brush his teeth, bath and groom 5 days a week and even organize his kitchen and meals. He lives in his home not a nursing home.

I am pretty much resolved that if the VA ILP comes through for me I am going to make my peace with VA and move on. I spent first 5 years not eligible to use VA cause of their malfeasance been going there for 20 years and have a Medicare HMO that is decent insurance. All I really need from VA is my meds and I am good to go.

[john999]

I asked for some home health care from the VA and they charged medicare. I made them give the money back to medicare and pay for it via the VA. That really made me angry that they would try and pass the buck to medicare. I really want nothing from the VA except money. If I could get pills some place else I would never go back to that place. My hospital is a charity hospital. That is understood by all. We are the beggers and they are the doctors and staff doing the unfortunate a favor.

[broncovet]

Congress specified that the caregiver act was to be implemented fully by the VA in January. Months later, when Shinseki still had not implemented Congress act, at least one Senator wrote the General, scolding him for the delay.

http://mikulski.sena...e/2-28-11-2.cfm

Here is the problem: Congress had written the act to benefit 3,000 famalies, while Shinseki wanted it to benefit only 900...there was a "standoff" between Congress and Sec. Shinseki.

Imho, if the President had a backbone, he would have fired Shinseki then...it is not Shinseki's job to tell Congress what to do, but rather to carry out the laws that congress passes. While Congress certainly may ask his opinion..this was not at this stage...this had already been passed by congress, and signed into law by the president.

It is hi time that the VA is held accountable to congress, and the secretary should not be allowed to "flip congress off". Shinseki basically "held up his middle finger" to congress on the care giver act, IMHO.

This squabbling between congress and the Secretary of the VA is a big red flag for a massive leadership failure at the highest levels of government. It reflected poorly on our country. Its as bad or worse as the president and the first lady getting into a big squabble and the fight be on TV. If a man can not provide good leadership to his own house, how can he provide good leadership to the whole country?

Edited July 3, 2011 by broncovet

[USNDW]

(d) Report on Expansion of Family Caregiver Assistance.--

(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date

described in subsection (a)(3)(A), the Secretary shall submit to

the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the

Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a

report on the feasibility and advisability of expanding the

provision of assistance under section 1720G(a) of title 38,

United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), to family

caregivers of veterans who have a serious injury incurred or

aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval, or

air service before September 11, 2001.

(2) Recommendations.--The report required by paragraph (1)

shall include such recommendations as the Secretary considers

appropriate with respect